Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Halitosis is the technical name for bad breath. Halitosis is the third-most-frequent reason for going to the dentist, behind tooth decay and periodontal disease. The intensity of bad breath changes during the day, because of eating certain foods, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Bad breath may be transient or persistent. Transient bad breath disappears after eating, brushing, flossing, or rinsing with mouthwash.

Persistent or chronic bad breath is a more serious condition, affecting 25% of the population in varying degrees. At Dream Smile Dental, we have some tips for you to rid yourself of bad breath.

Tongue scraping- Bacteria collects on the tissue of your tongue and causes a bad odor. To avoid this, brush your tongue while brushing your teeth with your tooth brush or a tongue scraper.

Regular flossing- Bacteria can colonize in the gums between the teeth and if not removed at least once per day, an unpleasant odor can result. The solution: Floss at least once per day!

Regular hygiene visits- The hygienist uses special instruments to remove plaque and calculus leaving your teeth biologically sound. A toothbrush and floss alone, no matter how frequently used, cannot reach areas that the dental hygienist can. It’s important to attend regular hygiene visits to stop periodontal disease from developing.
 
Regular Dental Exams- Tooth decay is also a form of disease. Bacteria cause the tooth to erode which releases a foul odor. To detect any untreated decay it’s important to come in for a dental exam at least twice per year.

Regular use of alcohol-free mouthwash- Mouthwash helps lower the level of bacteria that causes bad breath. We recommend using alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent from dry-mouth.

Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol- Chewing gum helps loosen soft depositing that may accumulate on your teeth after eating and in between brushing.

The right toothbrush- An electric toothbrush is far superior in removing the bacterial layer than a manual toothbrush. Use an electric toothbrush and make sure to replace the head every 3 months.
 

So many people around the world are affected by bad breath, technically known as halitosis. While some cases deemed from improper hygiene are diagnosed, almost all cases aren’t the persons fault! There are multiple reasons why, but we’ll cover the main topics, each with specific solutions, to help gain the confidence back in your life that everyone needs!  The first and most dominant reason why is, surprisingly enough, from your tonsils!

Tonsils main function is to trap foreign debris entering the mouth for protection of your body. While the need for tonsils is mostly in adolescent ages, people who have never had their tonsils out can develop what we call "tonsillitis", or "tonsil stones", which are one of the main causes of chronic halitosis. They're essentially formed when mucus runs down the back of the throat, referred to as "post nasal drip", which then gathers in the holes, or "crypts", of your tonsils. Tonsils being the bodily defender they are, attack the mucus combined with small food particles creating small white or yellowish formations in the tonsils.

The gases and bacteria produced by tonsil stones spread around the mouth, tongue, and back of the throat creating the most dominant cause of mouth odors in all cases! While you can find many commercial products for prevention of tonsil stones, their effectiveness has always been questionable. By study, the most effective combatant for prevention is grapefruit seed extract, gargled. This method takes a week or more to be effective but the time spent is merely the time it takes for the existing tonsil stones to dissolve and remove themselves from the crypts of your tonsils.

No method works for everyone, but the only absolute way to eliminate bad breath related to tonsil conditions is removal of the tonsils, or "tonsillectomy" which will stop tonsil stones from forming. Risks increase as age increases so consult with your dentist before deciding if a tonsillectomy is right for you.

The second most dominant cause is related directly to gum disease, known as "Periodontal Disease". This is something that typically has to be directly dealt with by your dentist, though there are natural cures such as honey, tea tree oil, cranberry, and vitamin C, to name a few.

Each type of bad breath has its own distinct odors and symptoms which can mostly be self-diagnosed by either noting the development of white spots on your tonsils, tonsillitis, or discoloration around the gum line. Both of these forms will give you a slightly sour and bland taste in your mouth.

So if you're one of the millions of people suffering from halitosis, know the symptoms, know your options, and do something about it! Contact us today to set up an appointment and get your bad breath under control.